Red Leopard

It felt like winter this weekend in NYC, and I decided to pull out my down coat. To brighten things up, I wore a red leopard sweater dress, a new purchase from Express, under it. I didn't even remember how many years have passed since I stepped in an Express store last time. That said, I am pretty happy with my purchase. It was soft and cute, although a little too short even for business casual. After all we do need a little bit color and fun occasionally, right?

Dress: Express Red Leopard Print Sweater Dress (also available in gray)
Down Coat: Burberry Brit (current season, similar available in Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Saks)
Boots: Cole Haan
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff Mini Perry Wave Embossed Leather Satchel in burgundy
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Brand Name or Not?

This is a sensitive topic, and I will try not to sound like a snob because I'm not.

We all like bargains. No one will pay $10 on something that she can get for $7. Reality is a bit more complicated than this simple maths because the $7 piece is most likely not identical to the $10 one. How much you are willing to compromise on the cut, style, and material for this $3 difference is absolutely personal choice. And in this post, I'm going to discuss my personal take on this.

To be honest, premium brand cloths tend to have better cut and material, although that may cost quite a bit. When I splurge on a piece of clothes, I have the following check points on my list:

1 - Does it fit perfectly? I see cut and fit as THE most important factor. An ill fitted piece looks cheap no matter it costs you $20 or $2000. And, not all brands fit the same. On my tiny frame, for instance, Burberry, Gucci and Fendi fit the best, Marni is a wild card, Miu Miu looks weird, and Armani is a total nightmare. Never buy anything just because it is a big name or because it looks perfect on someone else. You've got to know your body.

2 - Will I wear it often? For example, a huge distraction for our ladies is those premium brand gowns in deep discount. If you are not walking down the red carpet in the near future, don't buy them. Splurge on jackets, pencil skirts, and overcoats; you may also go picky on jeans if you wear them on daily basis. Buy items that you can easily style with multiple pieces in your current wardrobe. By doing so, you will get more mileage and lower cost per wear.

3 - Is the style/color classic and timeless? We all try to go with the trend to some extent, but fashion tide changes every three to five years. Save on trendy pieces and splurge on timeless items. In asset allocation, there is the so-called core-satellite theory that allocates the majority of asset to strategic long term core holdings and the minority to tactical portfolio that captures the market trend. Same applies in fashion; building your wardrobe around classic pieces will solve the always-one-piece-short syndrome.

Bottom line: I'm not Paris Hilton, and I did not marry a Russian oil guru. I want to spend my hard-earned money wisely on things I will wear on multiple occasions for years, just like you do.

Enjoy your weekend and happy shopping!

Closeup of this lovely Fendi dress. Hope you can see the delicate knit work. :)

Cashmere dress: Fendi
Silk scarf: Alexander McQueen (similar, similar, similar, similar)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength

Not-Your-Grandma's Knits

Photo credit: style.com

Photo credit: style.com

Although knits have never been new for fall/winter runway, they have never been so hot. This season they have become a statement piece. Wrap yourself in over-sized knits and head-to-toe knit separates. Sweaters, sweater dresses, sweater skirt, chunky snoods, and above all, sweater pants!

And here is one of my many sweater dresses collected over the past. I paired it with heeled oxfords and structured purse to tone down its feminineness. Yeah, I like mixing styles. :)

I WANNA GO SHOPPING! Those chunky knits look so warm and cozy and absolutely irresistible! 

Sweater dress: BCBG MAXAZRIA (check out this, this, and this)
Shoes: Ralph Lauren Collection (check out this)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength
Purse: Louis Vuitton Damier Hampstead PMShoes: Ralph Lauren Collection